Former BBC journalist one of two people found dead in house
A RESPECTED journalist was among two people found dead at a house in Aberdare.
Police said they were treating the deaths as unexplained, but not suspicious.
One of the two people found in the house on Friday, March 13, was former BBC broadcaster John Stevenson.
Originally from Bangor, Mr Stevenson, 68, worked as a prominent political journalist for many years and covered major global events such as the 9/11 terror attacks.
Tributes have been paid by political figures who knew Mr Stevenson during his long BBC career, which ended in 2013.
Former Plaid Cymru leader Lord Dafydd Wigley said: “I knew John from his days at Arfon Council and of course later on as a broadcaster as well.
“I came to know him more during that time as he was often covering the Commons. We became quite friendly during that time.
“I respected him very much, he was a consummate professional and you knew if you told him something in confidence he would respect that, and as such you were able to give him the context of a story as opposed to the bare details.
“Of course, we came from two different political backgrounds but that was never a problem for us. I also knew Ann Clwyd, and very much admired how she gave him a second chance after his struggles with alcohol.
“I respected the way that John took that opportunity. It was a significant challenge for him but he made the most of it.”
Garmon Rhys, head of news at BBC Wales, also paid tribute, saying: “John was a unique character who made a significant and important contribution to Welsh journalism over four decades.
“Insightful and fluent, he had an easy approach that made his reports so memorable. When thinking of John today, we remember a loveable character, who was a joy to work with.
“John saw many world events, however the result of this was to bring him closer to his audience and deepen his concern for society.
“As well as reporting on events, he also had that rare talent to be able to explain what was important, reflecting his vast knowledge of the history of politics in Wales and Westminster.
“There’s a deep sense of loss here at BBC Wales, but today our thoughts are with his family and friends.”
Mr Stevenson had initially set his sights on becoming an MP, but then decided to follow a career in journalism instead.
He had spoken of the challenges of being a gay man during his younger years, telling a documentary maker who made a programme about his life that he felt pressure “to comply”, describing getting married and holding high profile jobs as “part of the disguise”.
Stevenson left the BBC earlier on in his career due to struggles with alcoholism but was welcomed back in 1997 after he fought off the addiction.